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SONGS FROM HAWAII 



by 



ANNA M. PARIS 

II 



" To the sun that never blisters, 
Tg the rain that never chills. " 



PRIVATELY PRINTED 
NEW YORK, NINETEEN -TEN 






Copyright, 19 10 
by 

Anna M. Paris 



J. F. TAPLEY CO. 

New York 



CLA2 7J..V ■ 



\\ v ° 



& V 



TO 
HAWAII PONOI 



ALOHA NUI 
To S 

ALOHA NUI— in that sweet tongue 
Where hidden lies the song unsung, 
The speech melodious of a race 
Whose simple greeting finds a place 
Within the heart — I send to-day 
This message, only this alway, 
Aloha nui — Aloha nui. 

Aloha nui: as time speeds on 
Little it recks of what is gone; 
Only the heart may prize and hold 
The dear, the well-beloved of old. 
You, in the English tongue would miss 
The old-time tenderness of this 
Aloha nui — Aloha nui. 

Aloha nui: ah it recalls, 
As on the spirit ear it falls, 
Those days, when heart and soul aglow, 
Its sweetness first we learned to know; 
Though careless lips repeat the strain, 
Though much is loss we counted gain, 
In those glad hours for aye remains, 
Despite all changes, losses, pains, 
Aloha nui — Aloha nui. 



HAWAII 

WHERE the sunshine only gladdens, where the 
rain falls but to bless, 
Where the breezes, ocean laden, greet you with a 

fond caress, 
Where the tides in moonlit splendor murmur as 

they ebb and flow, 
Welcome, welcome, to the stranger from the land 

of ice and snow; 
Where the sunset trails its splendor o'er the waters 

of the West, 
Where the sunrise, rosy tinted, glints the moun- 
tain's snowy crest, 
Where the summer is immortal — there, beneath an 

azure sky, 
Circled by a sea of beauty, floats that land of love — 

Hawaii. 



TO THE KAMAAINA 

OKAMAAINAS, turn with me 
Aside from what is yet to be ; 
On memory's hearth the ashes stir 
And let us muse on days that were. 

There was no hurrying to and fro 
In those old days — the pace was slow; 
And yet it was a wholesome gait 
And suited well our tropic state. 

If we of luxuries little knew, 
Our cares were less, our wants were few; 
"The Simple Life" of which we read 
Was practiced then — it was our creed. 

When favoring breezes blew we sailed 
For island ports, but if we failed 
To go one day, we went the next, 
And no one thought of being vexed. 

'Tis true those voyages were made 
With much discomfort: oft we prayed 
The Captain to his course reclaim 
And take us back from whence we came. 



But Hilo gained — in that fair spot 
Our sighs and groans were soon forgot, 
While Pele in her royal way 
Gave us a welcome warm each day. 

Through open doors the breezes blew 
By day and night ; no fear we knew 
Of burglars then — those birds of prey 
Had not arrived in Hawaii Nei. 

Though mails infrequent came to cheer 
Expectant hearts, they proved when here 
Thrice welcome; though the news was late, 
'Twas new to us and up to date. 

Dame Fashion with her frown or smile 
A stranger was in this fair isle; 
Nor sought we then the world to please — 
'Twas far aw^ay; we w r ere at ease, 

And wore when morning calls were due 
The once familiar holoku ; 
For shopping, too, this simple gown 
Was worn throughout the busy town. 

A code unw r ritten then had we 
Of friendly hospitality; 
The stranger came and felt and saw 
The charm of that unwritten law. 

ii 



O kamaainas, one and all, — 
Those moonlight rides do you recall, 
Those flights by the wave-beaten shore, 
O'er field and plain to fair Manoa? 

The moonlight filtering gently down 
Still silvers old Leahi's crown, 
As in those stilly nights once made 
To voice the friendly serenade. 

All else is changed — faded the plain ; 
We list' the horse's tread in vain, 
While through the vale the auto's horn 
Tells of a century reborn. 

In short another age has come; 
We question if we're quite "at home" 
While Dame Convention leads the way 
And tells us what to do and say. 

For luxuries we can't complain ; 
The swiftest boats sail o'er the main ; 
The cable plies its utmost art 
To make us of the world a part. 

Electric wires turn night to day 
And speed the cars upon their way, 
While autos flying everywhere 
Bid the pedestrian "Beware." 

13 



Despite these blessings, unawares 
We miss the simple joys and cares 
Of other days, — O Time, we pray, 
Bring back to us our yesterday. 

It comes not back — that old time charm, 
But yet it lives in heart-beats warm; 
In kindliness and all good will 
The Long Ago is with us still. 



IS 



TWILIGHT AT WAIKIKI 

THE sunset tints athwart the sky 
Have changed to gray. O'er Waianae 
The shadows deepen ; on the sea 
Has fallen twilight's mystery. 

In measured tones subdued and slow 
Old ocean chants her ebb and flow — 
Or, silvered by the evening star, 
Breaks with a sob across the bar. 



17 



HILO 

HILO, thy name beloved recalls 
A babbling brook that joyously 
Fills up with song the garden space, 
And distant murmur of the sea. 

The green of mango, breadfruit, palm — 
The tall bamboo beside the door 
That to the wind in sweet content 
Whispers its secret o'er and o'er. 

The "Pride of India," gaunt and tall, 
Tossing its branches far outspread, 
Purples with pendant blossoms fair 
The well-worn path we used to tread. 

I see the rock-bound coast that binds 
The dancing waters of the bay; 
I see the splendor of the blue, 
The glory of the dashing spray. 

Forgetful of its mountain birth, 
Wailuku rushes wild and free, 
And foaming past its ferny banks 
Is lost in the eternal sea. 

19 



Old Manna Kea, serene and calm 
In rosy dawn or sunset light, 
Gives radiant greeting to the day 
And benediction to the night. 

But more than all, thy name recalls 
The dear ones who were part of thee; 
Great souls, adown the aisles of Time 
They walk with us in memory. 

And still we know the charm of dale, 
Of mountain peak, of sunset red 
Is linked in ways we cannot tell 
With the beloved, the living dead. 



21 



THE DUNES AT LAIE 

O DUNES that guard the lonely shore- 
Sole sentries of the sea, 
Attuned in spirit to the lore 
Of mystic harmony — 

Ye list and hear the matchless choir 

Whose songs unceasing roll, 
Whose rhythmic notes the tides inspire, 

The heavenly orbs control. 

So near to nature's heart ye lie, 

So tuneful to her will, 
Nor changeful sea, nor threatening sky 
Can bring you aught of ill. 

O vine-clad dunes, O lonely shore, 

Give to me of your balm ; 
On my worn spirit breathe the lore 

Of your unresting calm. 



23 



THE COCOA PALM 

O COCOA PALM, I pray thee, tell 
Why is it that I love so well 
That shaft of thine, that feathery crown 
On which the neighboring stars look down 
With greetings bright? Stately that stem 
Bearing aloft its diadem, 
Springing exultant from the earth 
Unmindful of its lowly birth! 
Though other trees may spread their shade 
In sylvan pride, on hill and glade, 
Yet more, O palm beside the sea, 
Love I thy lofty symmetry. 
I greet thee, palm; thou art to me 
The symbol of a soul set free 
From servile custom — one who moves 
Unfettered by earth's narrow grooves. 
I greet thee — love thee as a smile 
Of God on some far distant isle! 



O cocoa palm, a dower is thine 

Of breezes fresh, of ocean wine, 

Of rock-bound coast, of tides that swell 

Through caverns deep, where mermaids dwell, 

'Tis thine to list the Interludes 

That fill the spacious Solitudes 

25 



Of Nature's temple. There the sea 
Pours out its heart, O palm, to thee; 
Tells of its longing and its pain, 
Its mighty love, in proud refrain; 
Or, in some rapturous undertone, 
Its joy, makes known to thee alone. 

To thee, O palm, akin am I ! 
The ocean breeze — the cloud — the sky — 
The rock — the starry space afar — 
The lonely shore — my kindred are. 
By these companioned would I stay 
To greet with joy the coming day. 
Near thee, O silent comrade, friend, 
God grant for me life's dream shall end- 
Where ocean's fond familiar note 
May o'er my quickened senses float, 
And zephyrs, blending with the sea, 
Shall be both choir and liturgy. 
In benediction may that psalm 
That echoes through th' eternal calm, 
That tidal song, open for me 
The portals of Eternity. 



27 



TO MOTHER CASTLE 

IN MEMORIAM 

SOFT falls the light on hill and vale; 
On rocky slopes the shadows play— 
Precursers of the radiant hour 

That comes to bless the close of day. 

Serenely watching overhead, 

White clouds illumine Heaven's dome, 
As if, like bright-robed messengers, 

They fain would guide some spirit home. 

Fit hour for the tired soul's release, 
While nature broods ; while on the air 

Uniting earth and Heaven there rests 
The halo of an evening prayer. 

Fit hour for the loved soul to leave 
The earthly way she long had trod, 

Helping the weary and the weak, 

To find her Home— her Rest— her God. 

And as the orb whose course is run, 
In loveliness fades into night — 

So with the glory of life's eve 

Enfolding her, she passed from sight, 

29 



But not alone — Love followed her, 
The love of a great throng. No race 

But some had touched her garment's hem, 
Had seen God's image on her face. 

No boundary lines her creed enclosed, 
No thought was hers of place or name, 

The need was great, she freely gave — 
Would not the Master do the same? 

When clouds hung dark o'er ways untried, 
Hers was the vision clear; from far 

She saw the coming of the Dawn, 
She saw its bright prophetic star. 

Death cannot claim her. Life now comes 
To crown the years, to open wide 

Heaven's portals. Lo, she enters in; 
We see the human glorified. 



3i 



A 



THE FLEETS 

H, what tales could brave Leahi tell of fleets in 
days of old, 
When, lured on by hope's bright vision, to our 
shores came warriors bold. 



Without compass, chart or pennant came these 

warriors from afar; 
O'er them nightly hung Orion, for them burned 

the Polar star. 

In their brave canoes defying southern gale and 

tropic swell, 
Came these men to found a nation, came they with 

the gods to dwell. 

Now, Leahi, gazing seaward, sees advance with 

grace sublime, 
An armada with its trophies won from every port 

and clime. 

Sees advance an armed legion, as it proudly parts 

the blue; 
Sees the symbol of a nation of the men who dare 

and do. 

33 



Not as foeman, not for conquest comes this arma- 
ment to-day; 

Not to prove a victor's prowess sails it proudly 
down our bay. 

But it comes that we in triumph now may plight 

our troth anew; 
Ay, it comes to reunite us with the red, the white, 

the blue. 

From the Horn where roll the combers, where the 

blue blends with the gray, 
Come these messengers to bind us:— East and West 

are one to-day. 

Bid them enter, give them welcome, banners to the 

sky unfurled; 
Send alohas that shall echo clear and true around 

the world. 

Yet, despite the fadeless glory of that flag we cheer 

to-day, 
Lacks one gem that constellation— 'tis the star 

"Hawaii Nei." 



35 



OUR FLAG* 

THE deed is done, the flag is lowered— 
The symbol of Hawaii. 
Now proudly float the "Stars and Stripes" 
Beneath our tropic sky! 

What though with lordlier pride they spread 
Where our loved emblem waved — 

That symbol of our island home 
Is on our hearts engraved ! 

We've seen it float with pride above 

Hawaii's loved aliis; 
Its triumphs were of love — it flung 

Alohas on the breeze! 

Upon the threshold of to-day 
We pause, with fond regret. 

The flag above— we honor it- 
Yet, — we cannot forget. 

The flag above — it never waved 

Beneath a fairer dome ; 
God grant it may protect and bless 

Our loved, our island home! 



* Referring to June 14th, 1900, when the national flag 
of Hawaii gave place to the "Stars and Stripes." 

37 



TO THE PRINCESS KAIULANI 

NOW gentle breezes toss the spray 
At Waikiki— 
And beauty casts her witching spell 

O'er land and sea. 

But she, whose presence filled this spot 
With joy and light, 

She whom we loved — our own Alii — 

Has passed from sight! 

Sweet Princess! early called to tread 
The starry path, 

Around thy mystic name glows bright 
Love's aftermath. 

Fair as the evening star that tells 

The close of day — 

So, wert thou called in loveliness 

From earth away. 

But loyal hearts shall follow thee 

The tomb above — 

And Memory fond weave aye for thee 
A Crown of Love! 

Love's Crown! It shall thy glory be 

While stars on high 

Their vigils keep, or sea-waves chant 
Their lullaby. 

39 



EASTER 1909 

LO ! Easter brings the awaiting Earth 
The message glad of its re-birth — 
Yet every joyous bud and flower 
Has waited patiently its hour 
When, in the fullness of the Spring 
Perfected by long suffering, 
It should rejoice; has learned to know 
That Wind and Storm and Winter snow 
Must surely end in Summer Sun — 
That seeming Death is Life begun! 

O Soul! there is for thee no gain 

Till thou hast trod the path of pain — 

For on that path alone the light 

Shall dawn, shall break, in some dark night; 

And thou, my soul, alone must be, 

And in thine own Gethsemane 

Drink of the cup. Life in it lies; 

Fear not to drain it. Soul, arise! 

Look up — beyond — behold the way 

All luminous! 'Tis Easter-day! 

'Tis Easter-day! Loud praises ring 
For Him who once, the uncrowned king — 
The lowly one of Galilee — 
Proclaimed on earth Love's ministry; 

4i 



Who by His life, through word and deed, 
Bequeathed to man the perfect creed! 
Ye sorrowing ones, whose eyes are dim 
With unshed tears, weep not for Him! 
Nor look for Him where He has died — 
Behold, the Master, glorified! 

Now Faith which this frail life transcends 

And to the mortal glory lends, 

Glad Easter brings! While that sweet song 

That through the ages rolls along 

And gathers sweetness by the way 

From choirs unseen, is heard to-day; 

Its grand crescendo fills the air — 

And e'en Desire becomes a prayer! 

O Master, now with us abide 
And make each day an Easter-tide! 



43 



GLOSSARY 

Leahi — Hawaiian name for the promontory of 

Diamond Head. 
Pele — Goddess of Fire. 

Kamaaina — One born in Hawaii — an old-timer. 
Alii — A chief, king, or queen. 
Mauna Kea — A snow-capped mountain. 
Waianae — A mountain range near Honolulu. 
Wailuku — A river in Hilo. 
Laie — A small settlement in Oahu. 



45 



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